by Nathaniel R. Geyer, DrPH, CPH, GISP
Goyo (2024) is an Argentinian movie streamed on Netflix that outlines the complexity of a wealthy man with Asperger’s Syndrome falling in love with an older woman with two kids. The protagonist is Goyo an autistic who lives with his brother and sister, while being estranged from mother and a deceased father.
Goyo is a doctor in art education and works as a tour guide at a local art museum. One day when it rains, he meets a new security guard, Eve, while walking to work and it was love at first sight for him. His interest is in creating art, but he lacks initiative to create new art until that day. In the movie, Eve does not have a good first impression and feels like he is stalking her. However, when he later apologizes a fellow security guard stands up for him and defends him, so she takes a second chance on him.
Goyo’s sister is worried about him, but his brother wants him to succeed. Eve is amazed by him because of his honesty, intelligence, and difference from other man who treat her badly. One day her youngest son goes to the museum and Goyo takes an interest with him, and they bond on art and possibly being president of Argentina in the future. After that scene Eve is open to dinner at Goyo’s house, which ends well but leads to a very dramatic ending when the bubble burst yet comes together for a happy ending for the main characters.
My reflection of the movie is that Goyo, despite being from a wealthy family and holding a doctoral degree, is underemployed, with few friends and a rigid routine. He is unable to go on the subway nor drive and except for his brother or sister has no socialization and literally going to the pool to drown himself in his problems. He has no comprehension of love, sex, nor bad situations because of his sheltered life.
I see myself in the character when I was younger, but as I got older finding my niche has been my safety net at work. I have refused to fall in love because of bad experiences in the past. However, I do empathize with Eve that she was dealt a poor hand choosing the bad boy over the nerd. Goyo gives me some hope that I could find love even in my forties.
The movie Goyo reminds me that in the neurotypical world there are man who mistreat women, which is appalling to me, which leads to many broken marriages that can be detrimental to children.
The character Goyo shows that as an autistic who is open to love and can use their honesty, intelligence, and difference as a strength rather than a weakness there is hope for Eve’s kids that the youngest son can become future President of Argentina.
If there is a sequel to Goyo, I would love to see Goyo and Eve become a married couple and can use their different situations to make the world a better place.
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